AFTER the state closed its case in the “Fisherman” murder trial, the accused Marlon Callendar led his defence during which he opted to give an unsworn statement from the box.

He recalled that on the day in question (January 29, 2015) at Pritipaul Singh Investment Inc. wharf at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara at about 09:00hrs, he received two radio messages from his colleague, Terrence Philips.

The radio messages, he said, was about a fisherman being under the wharf who was the now deceased “Rastaman” who did not want to remove even after being warned several times by another security officer.

The accused told the court that he went to the wharf area and he had a verbal confrontation with the now deceased, which resulted in him firing a warning shot.

Callendar added that even though he discharged the shot, the deceased still refused to remove from the prohibited area. Several minutes later the man came onto the wharf and started to behave disorderly.

The accused said the deceased started to curse him and threatened to kill him, so he became very afraid for his life. He stated that he asked the man to remove from the area but he refused.

At this point, the accused added that the deceased made a few steps towards him and he fired a shot which resulted in the man being hit.

Callender added that he never shot anyone before and he was very afraid for his life when the deceased attacked him.

He said, “All I was trying to do is protect myself and I am sorry for the loss of the life of the deceased.”

At this stage the accused could not contain his tears as he wiped a few drops from his face while he sat in the prisoner’s box at the conclusion of his statement.
Defence attorney Everton Singh-Lammy then made his closing address after which state prosecutor, Lisa Cave, delivered hers.

Trial judge Sandil Kissoon will sum up the evidence on Wednesday morning at 09:00hrs after which the 12-member jury will deliberate for a verdict.

In her opening statement, state prosecutor Lisa Cave told the court that on the day in question, an unarmed security guard asked the deceased to remove from the area. He did not.

Thereafter, another security guard who was armed with a gun, discharged the loaded firearm at Pollard, thereby resulting in his death.

The state’s case is that the accused, Marlon Callender, shot and killed the deceased, Envil Pollard called “Rastaman” at Pritipaul Singh Investment Wharf at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara on the morning of January 29, 2015.